As most of us are aware, our business meetings last year in Israel framed a fresh approach to managing our family business. This new approach proved equally effective; furthermore, it answers bylaw requirements and allows more time for our worship, fellowship and inspiration.We will continue to pursue this method of integrating business in effective and dynamic ways—in fact, this will become the general pattern for the way we conduct convention business.

We are very excited about our 2008 convention—The Unchanging Christ and the Unshakable Kingdom—which will be held in Houston May 26-29. In preparation for convention, and in order to make you are aware of significant positive adjustments in procedure, we are sending this, the third in an FNS series relating to those changes. The first FNS (April 4, 2008) informed you of the changes in voting procedures; it also explained the importance of retaining the ballots you received if you preregistered. The second FNS (May 1, 2008) gave information regarding the website, where convention reports and business items are posted for your review and where you can submit your comments and questions. The purpose of this third FNS is to provide up-to-date information about the format and content of the business sessions at the impending convention.

Since we made a formal choice to no longer have designated seating for voting delegates at convention business meetings, it is possible to introduce a brief portion of business into many of our convention sessions. On Monday evening we will establish a quorum¹ so that the business session will be officially open for the duration of our convention; the business session will be adjourned* on the final evening of convention. The general structure will be as follows:

• Some evening sessions will contain a brief presentation of business items, some of which will require a vote of the convention body the next day. For instance, a business item presented on Tuesday evening would be voted on on Wednesday evening.
• Afternoon sessions will provide opportunity for clarifying items that were presented previously, allowing time for discussion and questions. Voting delegates will then have appropriate time for reflection and prayer before voting in the evening session, if a vote is required. No discussion will precede the voting in the evening.
• Morning sessions may be used to provide additional time for reports and accounts from the leaders of various ministry areas.

This structure has been carefully considered. Our intent is to provide generous opportunities for you to process information and to have a voice in all business items. Even with the opportunities we have made available for discussion and questions, you may still want to pursue some items further. If so, you can use one of the response cards we have available; these cards provide space for you to ask questions of those who introduced various items or those who are responsible for particular ministry areas.

Please give careful thought to the information regarding these changes in procedure. We hope to make the transitions as trouble-free as possible so that we will be able to enjoy and experience God’s presence in an environment of committed community. We look forward to being together in Houston!